Surname Gowing - Meaning and Origin

Gowing: What does the surname Gowing mean?

The surname Gowing is of English origin, stemming from the old English pre-7th century term, "Golwine", which is a compound of the elements "gold" meaning gold and "wine", a friend. So the name likely meant "a friend as precious as gold". The name could have signified a close or dear friend, or an extremely valuable companion. It was fairly common in the Middle ages for English speakers to refer to notable characteristics or attributes when identifying individuals which eventually developed into surnames. Like many surnames, Gowing may have originally been a nickname that over time became a hereditary surname. The various spellings include Goldwin, Golding, Gollan and Goling among others. These surnames date back to at least the 13th century in England. Despite this English origin, the surname is found worldwide today.

Gowing: Where does the name Gowing come from?

The last name Gowing is of English origin. It is a variant of the surname 'Gowin,' which is derived from the Old Welsh personal name 'Guinguin,' meaning a 'fair or white hero.' This name was prevalent among the pre-Christian Britons and later introduced to England by the Normans during the period of and after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

The surname Gowing initially became common in areas of East Anglia, especially Norfolk, in the eastern part of England. As people have migrated and mixed universally over centuries, tracking down a specific region where the surname is predominantly common may not be accurate or simple task. However, based on frequency and distribution, the surname Gowing still appears to be more common in England, specifically in the regions of Norfolk, Essex, and London. Its prevalence can also be found in other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia due to English emigration in the past centuries. Please note that this information might vary according to different sources.

Variations of the surname Gowing

The surname Gowing might be spelled in several different ways due to factors such as historical spelling rules, translation between languages, or simply errors. Some potential variants and spellings of this surname could include Gowan, Gowen, Gowing, Gowinge, Gowings, Goings, Gowins, and Going.

There might also be other variations of this surname based on regional accents or dialects. The surname might be associated with Scottish and Irish origins, with analogous surnames such as McGowan, MacGowan, O’Gowan. The name may have originally designated someone living by a smithy or workshop. There might be equivalent surnames in other languages that translate to similar meanings.

The surname can also change due to marriage and it's common to have double-barreled surnames, like Gowing-Smith or Gowing-Jones. Notably, all these variations can make tracing genealogy quite complex.

However, it is important to note that while these variants may be possible, not all will be valid or relevant for all individuals with the surname Gowing; each person's family history and lineage can be unique. The exact variants would need to be confirmed via genealogical research or genetic testing.

Famous people with the name Gowing

• Peter Gowing, actor
• Julie Gowing, American filmmaker
• Nina Gowing, British actress
• Clive Gowing, British actor
• Richard Gowing, British banker
• Lee Gowing, English cricketer
• David Gowing, English actor
• Gerry Gowing, Australian television producer
• Toby Gowing, English singer-songwriter
• Ulrich Gowing, German professor of philosophy

Other surnames

Gowin